We all pretty much have one. The box room, that third bedroom which is small or cramped. You have probably just got a bed in there, a mirror and a wardrobe. You most probably, given the opportunity, would extend that room and make it bigger. But, on a tight budget, this can be hard. Especially given the average time scale for a refurbishment nowadays. So what can you do? Well, below are four tips you can use to your hearts content – some may not be applicableto you, and some may be applicable – but, bare in mind that even utilizing some of these tips can vastly change the appearence and perception of space. I hope these 4 tips help .

1. Use plenty of light colors throughout

Light and brightly colored walls are more reflective, which will help to maximize the effect created by natural light. This does not mean you have to live with white walls. There are a wide range of light colors paints available, such as sky blue, cream beige and light greens.

Once you’ve chosen your wall color, choose your trim and moldings colors. Paint your trims and moldings in either the same hue as the walls, or a lighter color. Lighter objects appear closer while darker or shadowed objects appear further away. When you paint your moldings a lighter color, the wall appears further back – thus making your room appear bigger.

Now, don’t be worried that your room is going to be bland and uninviting, you can slap on some artwork, photoframes or a TV to the wall which will utilize wall space effectively. And do not apply bold coloured furniture to the room either.

If your colors are already dark, try to move the darker colors to a ‘background’ role while maximizing your neutral white or ivory. Be careful when using wallpaper. Solid colors are the safest, with tiny patterns taking a close second. Whatever the wall color or finish, we recommend the ceiling in a small room be painted stark white to maximize brightness.

2. Use Mirrors

Mirrors can have a favorable impact on a room’s appearance. A large mirror in the room will reflect light around the room. The mirrors also reflect both natural and artificial light to make a room brighter during the day and night. They bounce light deep into the room, making it appear larger. This is especially effective with near a window so the outdoors can be reflected.

Use glass-front or mirrored cabinet doors to make spaces feel large and uncluttered. Large, expansive mirrors over vanities, mirrored wardrobe doors or a floor-to-ceiling wall of mirrors can make even the smallest of spaces seem larger. I personally use lots of mirrors throughout my house. In fact, straying off category, I think the most important place to have a mirror if the greeting area. I percieves space, and relaxes visitors.

3. Arrange your furniture at an angle, and corner them when you can

Arrange some of your larger pieces of furniture at a angle. You don’t have to place the furniture at an exact 45 degree angle, often a lesser angle looks best if you can balance the look with another furniture piece.

Setting your furniture at an angle works because the longest straight line in any given room is it’s diagonal. When you place your furniture at an angle, it leads the eye along the longer distance, rather than the shorter wall. As an added bonus, you often get some additional storage space behind the piece in the corner, too!

4. Scale your furniture

Keep furnishings in scale with the rooms. In small rooms, use slim rockers, open-back chairs or a simple sofa or love seat rather than overstuffed furnishings to avoid overpowering the space.

There are stores that deal exclusively in furniture for apartments and mobile homes. Despite its slightly smaller size, scaled-down furniture can be beautiful. An open headboard is best for a small room. When furnishing, keep the view at eye level unobstructed. Taller furnishings should be placed at the end of the room opposite its main entry.